I have a customer that wants a cake next weekend and I have a conference to go to. . I have time between the sessions to decorate the cake, but I would need it baked and iced already which means I"d have to do that on like Wednesday night. The party is on Saturday.

Would baking it on Wednesday evening be to far in advance for a Saturday Party? Technically it's only one day early, because I usually bake my cakes on Thursday night, decorate Friday and deliver Saturday.

Thanks so much for the opinions in advance!

I've baked cakes on Wed. night for a Saturday delivery before, if I know I'm going to need 2 days to decorate it. I'd say it should be fine, assume you store it well.

Thanks. . and what would be the best way to store it? Once it's crumb coated I can't wrap it in saran wrap cause it would stick right? so would just putting it in a box on the counter work ok? I typically don't refrigerate my cakes unless they have a filling that needs to be chilled.

I agree with above. I've done this with my kids b-day cakes and they were fine. Just store it well.

Hmm, I usually saran wrap and refrigerate the cake plain, and then crumb coat,frost and apply fondant or decorations all in one day once I start decorating. I think if I were going to crumb coat and then decorate the rest another day, I would put the crumb coated cakes in the fridge to set, and then saran wrap the set crumb coated cakes until I was ready to decorate. The saran wrap shouldn't stick to the crumb coat once it's set and cold, I would think.

cakes dont like the fridge - theres no real need unless its perishable.

the timeline you suggest is what most people do, so it should be fine (although kind of depends on your recipe too). one the cake is crumbcoated, its sealed so it doesnt need to be sealed with something like seran wrap, id just box it (dont think card/ airtight really matters at this stage?)
xx

If you put the cake straight in the fridge or freezer, it takes only a few minutes to set up a bit hard, then take it out and wrap it. When you are ready to decorate it, take it out of cooler and unwrap before it defrosts!

Once it's iced it and the air can't get to it, it won't dry out. It will be just fine out on the counter.

Thanks for all the replies! I appreciate it!!